DISABLING OPERATION OF FEATURES ON A HANDHELD MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE BASED UPON LOCATION

• US 20090322890A1
• Filed: 09/01/2006
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Helivel, David Noel Vanden, Plestid, Thomas Leonard Trevor, Bocking, Andrew Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 7,933,611 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/211.2
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/14 with services dependent on location where the service is an information service H04M2242/15; services independent of location H04M3/42229
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42178 by downloading data to substation equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42357 where the information is provided to a monitoring entity such as a potential calling party or a call processing server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00323 with a measuring, monitoring or signaling apparatus, e.g. for transmitting measured information to a central location
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/44 Secrecy systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4426 involving separate means, e.g. a server, a magnetic card
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4433 to an apparatus, part of an apparatus or an apparatus function
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences

Abstract

Methods and devices for implementing subsystem or functional aspect restrictions on a wireless handheld communication device. Data defining geographical boundaries of a restricted operating area is stored on the device. The present position of the device is ascertained and a determination is made whether the device is located within the restricted operating area. A restriction on the subsystem or functional aspect is imposed when it is determined the device is within the restricted operating area. The subsystem or functional aspect restriction can be communicated to the device via a wireless communication network. Additionally, the restrictions and boundaries can be communicated to the device as part of an IT security policy.

Claims

1. A method for remotely implementing administrative policy on a wireless handheld communication device with an incorporated camera, said method comprising:

storing data at the wireless handheld communication device that defines geographical boundaries of a restricted operating area of the device;

ascertaining a present geographical position of the device utilizing satellite-derived information and determining whether the device is presently located in the restricted operating area based on a comparison to the stored geographical boundaries of the restricted operating area; and

imposing a camera restriction on the device when it is determined that the device is presently located in the restricted area.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising storing data at the wireless handheld communication device that defines the camera restriction that is imposed on the wireless handheld communication device based on whether the device is located in the restricted area.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the defined camera restriction is disablement of the camera.

4. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the defined camera restriction is temporary disablement of the camera.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the temporary disablement of the camera lasts for a predetermined time period.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the temporary disablement of the camera lasts until it is ascertained that the geographical position of the device is outside the restricted operating area.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

generating said stored data that defines the geographical boundaries of the restricted operating area of the device by obtaining a plurality of boundary location coordinates utilizing said device.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein each of said plurality of boundary location coordinates is obtained by positioning said device at a location proximate the geographical boundary and defining said location as a set of coordinates which is saved as part of said stored data.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein each set of coordinates is satellite derived.

10. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

transmitting said stored data that defines the geographical boundaries of the restricted operating area to a control server thereby enabling distribution of said stored data to other wireless handheld communication devices as part of an administrative policy.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting said stored data that defines the geographical boundaries of the restricted operating area to a plurality of devices thereby establishing an administrative policy for said plurality of devices.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the camera restriction is embedment of a source-identifying watermark in any photographs taken with the camera when it is determined that the device is presently located in the restricted area.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said wireless handheld communication device transmits data to, and receives data from a communication network utilizing radio frequency signals.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the data transmitted between said wireless handheld communication device and the communication network supports voice and textual messaging.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said wireless handheld communication device comprises a lighted display located above a keyboard suitable for accommodating textual input to the wireless handheld communication device when said device is in an operable configuration and an auxiliary user input that is located essentially between the display and keyboard in the operable configuration.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, said keyboard comprising a plurality of keys with which alphabetic letters are associated, one letter per key.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein said alphabetic letters are configured in one of a QWERTY, QWERTZ, and AZERTY layout.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, said keyboard comprising a plurality of keys with which alphabetic letters are associated and wherein at least a portion of the individual keys have multiple letters associated therewith.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein said alphabetic letters are configured in one of a QWERTY, QWERTZ, and AZERTY layout.

20. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein said auxiliary user input is a trackball.

21. A method for remotely implementing administrative policy on a wireless handheld communication device, said method comprising:

receiving and storing data at the wireless handheld communication device that defines geographical boundaries of a restricted operating area of the device;

receiving and storing data at the wireless handheld communication device that defines a restriction on one of a subsystem or functional aspect of the device that is selectively imposed based on whether the device is located in the restricted area;

ascertaining a present geographical position of the device utilizing satellite-derived information and determining whether the device is presently located in the restricted operating area based on a comparison to the stored geographical boundaries of the restricted operating area; and

imposing the defined restriction when it is determined that the device is presently located in the restricted area.

22. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the subsystem or functional aspect is one of a camera module, a Wi-FI module, a ringer, a removable storage device, a speaker phone, a wireless communication subsystem, and e-mail.

23. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the subsystem or functional aspect is a Wi-Fi module.

24. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the subsystem or functional aspect is a ringer.

25. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the subsystem or functional aspect is a removable storage device.

26. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the subsystem or functional aspect is a speaker phone.

27. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the subsystem or functional aspect is a wireless communication subsystem.

28. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the subsystem or functional aspect is e-mail.

29. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the subsystem or functional aspect is a camera module.

30. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein said wireless handheld communication device transmits data to, and receives data from a communication network utilizing radio frequency signals.

31. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein the data transmitted between said wireless handheld communication device and the communication network supports voice and textual messaging.

32. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein said wireless handheld communication device comprises a lighted display located above a keyboard suitable for accommodating textual input to the wireless handheld communication device when said device is in an operable configuration and an auxiliary user input that is located essentially between the display and keyboard in the operable configuration.

33. The method as recited in claim 32, said keyboard comprising a plurality of keys with which alphabetic letters are associated, one letter per key.

34. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein said alphabetic letters are configured in one of a QWERTY, QWERTZ, and AZERTY layout.

35. The method as recited in claim 32, said keyboard comprising a plurality of keys with which alphabetic letters are associated and wherein at least a portion of the individual keys have multiple letters associated therewith.

36. The method as recited in claim 35, wherein said alphabetic letters are configured in one of a QWERTY, QWERTZ, and AZERTY layout.

37. The method as recited in claim 32, wherein said auxiliary user input is a trackball.

38. A wireless handheld communication device with an incorporated camera, said device comprising:

a memory storing data defining geographical boundaries of a restricted area and said memory also storing data defining a camera restriction imposed on the wireless handheld communication device relative to the restricted area;

a position determiner that receives satellite-based information that defines a present geographical position of the device and determines whether the device is presently located in the restricted area based on a comparison to the geographical boundaries of the restricted area stored in memory; and

a controller that adapts the functionality of the camera based on the determination of whether the device is presently located in the restricted area.

39. The device as recited in claim 38, further comprising:

a configuration signal receiver that receives configuration data from an enterprise administrator and the memory stored data that defines the geographical boundaries of the restricted area is based on the received configuration data.

40. The device as recited in claim 38, wherein the controller disables the camera when it is determined that the device is presently located in the restricted area.

41. The device as recited in claim 38, further comprising:

a lighted display located above a keyboard suitable for accommodating textual input to the handheld communication device and an auxiliary user input located essentially between the display and keyboard.

42. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 41, wherein said auxiliary user input is a trackball.

43. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 41, further comprising a radio transmitter capable of transmitting data to a communication network utilizing radio frequency signals and a radio receiver capable of receiving data from the communication network utilizing radio frequency signals.

44. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 42, wherein the data transmitted between said handheld communication device and the communication network supports voice and textual messaging.

45. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 41, said keyboard comprising a plurality of keys with which alphabetic letters are associated, one letter per key.

46. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 44, wherein said alphabetic letters are configured in one of a QWERTY, QWERTZ, and AZERTY layout.

47. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 41, said keyboard comprising a plurality of keys with which alphabetic letters are associated and wherein at least a portion of the individual keys have multiple letters associated therewith.

48. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 47, wherein said alphabetic letters are configured in one of a QWERTY, QWERTZ, and AZERTY layout.

49. A wireless handheld communication device with an incorporated camera, said device comprising:

processing means for receiving, processing and outputting electronic data and for outputting device control signals;

memory means for storing data that defines geographical boundaries of a restricted operating area and data that defines a camera restriction that is selectively imposed on the wireless handheld communication device based on whether the device is located in the restricted area;

position determining means for ascertaining a present geographical position of the device utilizing satellite-derived information and determining whether the device is presently located in the restricted operating area based on a comparison to the geographical boundaries of the restricted operating area stored in memory; and

control means for imposing the defined camera restriction on the device when it is determined that the device is presently located in the restricted area.

50. The device as recited in claim 49, wherein said processing means is configured for receiving electronic configuration data from an enterprise administrator and deriving therefrom memory stored data that defines the geographical boundaries of the restricted area.

51. The device as recited in claim 49, wherein said control means is configured to disable the camera when it is determined that the device is presently located in the restricted area.

52. The device as recited in claim 51, wherein said control means is configured to enable the camera when it is determined that the device is presently located outside of the restricted area.

53. The device as recited in claim 49, further comprising:

a lighted display located above a keyboard suitable for accommodating textual input to the handheld communication device and an auxiliary user input located essentially between the display and keyboard.

54. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 53, wherein said auxiliary user input is a trackball.

55. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 53, further comprising a radio transmitter capable of transmitting data to a communication network utilizing radio frequency signals and a radio receiver capable of receiving data from the communication network utilizing radio frequency signals.

56. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 55, wherein the data transmitted between said handheld communication device and the communication network supports voice and textual messaging.

57. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 53, said keyboard comprising a plurality of keys with which alphabetic letters are associated, one letter per key.

58. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 57, wherein said alphabetic letters are configured in one of a QWERTY, QWERTZ, and AZERTY layout.

59. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 53, said keyboard comprising a plurality of keys with which alphabetic letters are associated and wherein at least a portion of the individual keys have multiple letters associated therewith.

60. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 59, wherein said alphabetic letters are configured in one of a QWERTY, QWERTZ, and AZERTY layout.